In a ruling issued on Wednesday, a Sacramento Superior Court Judge ordered the Sacramento Voter Registrar to change the ballot designation of a candidate for the Elk Grove Unified School District Board of Trustees.

In a hearing in Department 31, Judge Michael Kenny ruled for a complaint filed by Terry Schanz, Chairman of the Democratic Party of the Sacramento County, seeking to change the ballot designation of Marlon Hill. A candidate for the EGUSD's Area 6 seat, Hill submitted his occupation to appear on the ballot as "Parent/Coach/Educator."

In his complaint filed last week, Schanz's contended that Hill's designation was misleading given that his full-time occupation is an information technology specialist with the California Office of Legislative Counsel. Citing case law, the complaint stated an educator designation required the candidate to hold a teaching credential, which Hill does not possess. Additionally, the complaint was purposefully misleading to voters.

Speaking on behalf of the Democratic Party of Sacramento County, Schanz said they were pleased with the ruling, but bemoaned the Sacramento County Registrar of Voters' failure to ensure candidates are using factual ballot designations."Citizens should not have to keep suing the Sacramento County Registrar of Voters for failing to do a fundamental requirement of their job. Sacramento County voters deserve better," Schanz said. "We call upon the Sacramento County Registrar of Voters to uphold their sworn duty to protect the integrity of our election system. Sacramento County voters deserve nothing less.Schanz also noted this is the second time in recent months the group challenged the Registrar on a ballot designation. Last spring they successfully challenged a designation in a race for the Twin Rivers Unified School District Board of Trustees.

In agreeing with Schanz's complaint, Kenny ordered that Hill's ballot designation be changed to "Parent/IT Specialist."